Once the flow of water from the River Adeje was diverted, it was used to supply the town itself, to irrigate the sugar cane fields, as a driving force for the sugar mill and the water mills used to make gofio to supply the needs of the new town.
The Molino de Arriba – vertical or aceña mill, due to the position of the mill wheel in relation to the ground, is located in the area known as Agua Pie. It is a rare example in the Canary Islands. It was built by the lords of the Casa Fuerte, who leased it until 1897. It was sold and remained in operation until the 1950s.
This type of mill was one of the first to be used, due to its lower technical complexity, as it lacked gears and complicated transmission systems, which made it less difficult to install. Built by the lords of the Casa Fuerte in the 16th century, it was sold and worked until the 1950’s. Built with a horizontal wheel and an impeller system, it had the corresponding bucket, which is still in good condition.
The rules of the Casa Fuerte, according to the Casa Fuerte Directory, regarding the mill: “…With the mills, great care must be taken to ensure that the miller does not grind anything without carrying a certificate to know what he has ground, and every week the account will be adjusted on Saturday with the miller and what he has done in maquilas will be charged…”.
